Tell Secretary Kerry you’ve got his back.

Friends,

Yesterday, the news broke that Secretary of State John Kerry personally called Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren to protest the Israeli government’s decision to “legalize” four illegal outposts – a decision that, if implemented, will mean the establishment of four new settlements. Kerry reportedly also asked the Israeli government to delay the move or rethink its decision. The Israeli decision to legalize the outposts is bad news but par for the course for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has for years pandered to the settlers and their supporters. The personal intervention of Secretary Kerry, on the other hand, is a welcome development.

This high-level démarche to the Israeli government – the first in recent memory – underscores Kerry’s apparent recognition that this Israeli government decision is exactly what Peace Now called it: “A slap in the face of Secretary Kerry's new process and [a] blatant reassurance to settler interests." As Peace Now’s Hagit Ofran notes, the decision to launder illegal settler actions flies in the face of past promises Israel has made to the international community to not create new settlements or expand existing ones.

Thank Secretary of State Kerry for stepping up and taking action for peace, and tell him to stay the course!

Subject:

Your Letter:

Thank you for stepping up and taking action for peace!

As an American who is committed to peace and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I was outraged to learn of the recent Israeli government decision to “legalize” four West Bank “outposts” – embryonic settlements established by the settlers in violation of Israeli law.

Likewise, as an American who believes that U.S. leadership is vital to stopping the spread of settlements and achieving a two-state solution, I was pleased and proud when I learned that you had called Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren to personally protest this outrageous Israeli decision.

I have no doubt that you are under intense pressure today from those who want the U.S. to turn a blind eye to settlement expansion and other Israeli policies that undermine the very possibility of the two-state solution.  Many of these people and groups purport to be “pro-Israel” and to represent the consensus in the American Jewish community.   I am writing today in part to make sure that you understand that these voices don’t represent Jewish Americans.  Most American Jews support peace, want a two-state solution, and recognize that settlements are bad for Israel.

I believe that you got it exactly right when you told a House committee: “…the window for a two-state solution is shutting. I think we have some period of time, in the year to year and half to 2 years or, it's over.”  The only thing that can ensure both American interests and Israeli security is a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The situation is dire, and the imperative of stopping settlements and achieving a breakthrough for peace is truly urgent.

I applaud your personal, active involvement thus far in efforts to achieve such a breakthrough.  I urge you to stay the course, holding firm to longstanding U.S. policies and principles and taking bold action where necessary.

Sincerely,

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Tell Secretary Kerry you’ve got his back.